Sophia immediately nodded with what appeared to be genuine admiration, though internally she was calculating how to navigate this increasingly uncomfortable conversation without giving Penelope any additional opportunities to gloat or probe deeper into her personal circumstances. “Wow, it really sounds like you're actually living your life exactly the way you had always dreamed it would be,” she said with carefully modulated enthusiasm. “You're currently living the most fulfilled life imaginable, aren't you? And thank God that your husband actually loves you so much that he wants to protect you and provide for you in all these incredible ways. The level of care and attention he shows you is very, very impressive.”Sophia's words seemed to hit exactly the right note, feeding into Penelope's obvious desire for validation and recognition. Immediately, Penelope started laughing with genuine delight, a sound that carried both pleasure and a hint of superiority as she basked in what she

At that moment, without wasting another second on further confrontation or attempting to salvage what had clearly become an irreparable social disaster, Sophia and Damien immediately started walking away from Penelope and her entourage with purposeful, dignified strides. Their departure was calm but decisive, Sophia's head held high as she linked her arm through Damien's, presenting a united front as they moved deeper into the luxurious shopping mall corridors.Watching them retreat, seeing Sophia's confident posture and complete dismissal of her authority and social superiority, Penelope's carefully manicured fists tightened at her sides until her knuckles showed white beneath her perfectly applied makeup. Her face flushed with a mixture of rage and humiliation as she couldn't believe, absolutely could not process, that Sophia had actually just walked away from her in such an embarrassing and public manner.The audacity of it was staggering to Penelope's sense of social order and hie

Immediately, she began leading them through the carefully arranged displays, starting with some of the more accessible pieces before moving toward the truly rare items. As they moved through the store, she started sharing fascinating details about various unique pieces, telling them about the historical context, the craftsmanship techniques, the cultural significance, and the provenance of different artifacts that caught the light as they passed.However, despite the representative's obvious knowledge and enthusiasm, Sophia found herself somewhat distracted and wasn't particularly interested in the pieces being shown to her initially. Nothing was quite capturing her imagination or speaking to her collector's instincts in the way that truly special pieces did when she encountered them.But then, just as they were moving deeper into the store's more exclusive sections, something changed entirely. Sophia's eyes suddenly landed on a particular item that seemed to call out to her from its

At that moment, upon realizing and seeing that it was Penelope who had just spoken with such mocking condescension, Sophia felt a surge of anger rising within her chest. The sight of Penelope standing there with that satisfied, superior expression made her blood boil with frustration and indignation. However, even through her anger, Sophia's practical mind recognized that Penelope's presence and taunting words were not the major problem she needed to focus on right now.The major problem, the truly serious issue that demanded her immediate attention, was actually the destroyed pot and the mounting consequences of what she had accidentally broken. That expensive, irreplaceable antique lying in fragments on the floor - that was what should be worrying her far more than Penelope's attempts to humiliate her. The financial and legal implications of destroying such a valuable piece were potentially devastating, and that reality was even more concerning and threatening than dealing with Pene

At that moment, hearing what Sophia had just said with such obvious frustration and desperation, hearing her attempt to find some alternative solution to the increasingly humiliating situation she found herself trapped in, Penelope started laughing with genuine amusement and obvious satisfaction. Her laughter carried the sound of someone who had successfully cornered their opponent and was now thoroughly enjoying watching them struggle.“Oh, just look at Sophia now, trying to use yet another escape tactic to get out of facing the full consequences of what she's done!” Penelope exclaimed with obvious delight, her voice carrying the tone of someone who had anticipated exactly this kind of maneuvering. “Did you actually think that I wouldn't see right through this transparent attempt to avoid accountability?”Her expression became even more smugly superior as she continued her analysis of Sophia's motives. “Though Sophia apparently thinks I don't understand all of these manipulative litt